A.

Policy Statement. The purpose of this section is to regulate the placement, appearance, and density of signs in order to protect and support the land use objectives set forth in other sections of this ordinance. Additionally these regulations will serve as a tool to insure the orderly appearance of the Parish, while avoiding clutter, confusion, competitive waste, and distractions for motorists on streets within the Parish.

B.

Definitions.

Awning sign - A sign incorporated into or attached to an awning.

Banner - Any sign consisting of flexible material such as cloth, paper, or plastic sheet attached to one (1) or more supports.

Building - Any structure designed or built for the support, enclosure, shelter, or protection of a person, animals, chattel, or property of any kind.

Building frontage - Building frontages are exterior building walls facing a right-of-way or private roadway, and any other exterior building wall facing a parking lot which contains a public entry to the occupant's premises.

Directional signs - Directional signs are signs which shall be installed by the Parish on public rights-of-way to direct persons to facilities, offices, or areas of public service (i.e. public park sites, government offices or facilities, office of a government official). A directional sign will be a single or double faced sign not exceeding six (6) square feet containing the Parish logo. A directional sign will be designed to guide or direct vehicular traffic or pedestrians to the area or facility of public service. Where more than one (1) facility, office or area of public service is located, the directional sign may contain multiple names (i.e. Courthouse/School.)

Electronic message center - Signs whose message or display is presented with patterns of lights that may be changed at intermittent intervals by an electronic process.

Fascia sign - A single-faced sign attached flush to a building.

General advertising sign (includes billboards). Any sign which is not an on-premises sign, relating to a business activity, use or service not carried on the premises upon which the sign is placed, or to a product not sold, handled, produced, or fabricated on the premises upon which the sign is placed. General advertising signs shall be allowed only in the CR-1, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2 and M-3 zoning districts.

Ground sign - Shall mean any sign which is supported by structures or supports in the ground and is independent of support from any building.

Incidental sign - A small attached sign located on the door or entrance to the building identifying the name of the business, contact information, hours of operation and whether the business is open or closed.

Lighting methods -

(1)

Direct - Exposed lighting or neon tubes on the sign face.

(2)

Flashing - Lights which blink on and off randomly or in sequence.

(3)

Indirect - The light source is separate from the sign face or cabinet and is directed so as to shine on the sign.

(4)

Internal - The light source is concealed within the sign.

Maintenance - Normal care needed to keep a sign functional such as cleaning, oiling, and changing of light bulbs.

Marquee sign - A sign incorporated into or attached to a marquee or permanent canopy.

Menu board - A detached or ground sign erected as part of a drive-through facility used to display and provide pricing for food or other goods that may contain a two-way speaker system for taking orders.

Monument sign - A detached or ground sign with the entire length in contact with the ground or a low-level pedestal that rests upon the ground.

Moving parts - Features or parts of a sign structure which through mechanical means are intended to move, swing or have some motion.

Nonconforming sign - A sign or sign structure lawfully erected and properly maintained that would not be allowed under the sign regulations presently applicable to the site.

Off-premises sign - A sign which identifies or gives directional information to a business not located on the property on which the sign is located.

On-premises sign - A sign relating only to the main use of the premises on which the sign is located, or indicating the name and address of a building or the occupants or management of a building on the premises where the sign is located.

Painted wall highlights - Painted wall highlights are painted areas which highlight a building's architectural or structural features.

Permanent sign - A sign attached to a building, structure, or the ground in some manner requiring a permit and made of materials intended for more than short-term use.

Portable sign - Any sign that is not firmly anchored and secured to either a building or the ground.

Projecting sign - A sign attached to and projecting out from a building face or wall and generally at right angles to the building.

Rotating sign - Sign faces or portions of a sign face which revolve around a central axis.

Sign - Any device designed to convey information visually and which is exposed to public view.

Sign structure - A structure specifically intended for supporting or containing a sign.

Site - A parcel of land occupied or intended for occupancy by a use permitted in this ordinance including permitted buildings together with accessory buildings, the yard area and parking spaces required by this ordinance.

Site frontage - The length of the property line parallel to and along each public right-of-way or private roadway.

Structural alteration - Modification of the size, shape, or height of a sign structure. Also includes replacement of sign structure materials with other than comparable materials, for example metal parts replacing wood parts.

Temporary rigid sign - A temporary sign, other than a lawn sign, made of rigid materials such as wood, plywood, plastic.

Temporary sign - A sign not permanently attached to a building, structure, or the ground.

Vision clearance area - Those areas near intersections of roadways and ingress and egress points where a clear field of vision is necessary for public safety.

Wall sign - Any single-faced sign facing a public thoroughfare or parking area, which is attached to, painted on, or incorporated into the exterior wall of a building.

Window sign - An attached sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message intended to be read or viewed from the exterior of the building. (Ord. No. 24-8-2, § III, 8-5-24)

C.

General Sign Standards.

1.

The height of a sign shall be measured vertically from the grade of the roadway to which the sign is directed to the top of the sign or its structural support, whichever is greater.

2.

Display of permit number. All signs for which permits are required by the terms hereof shall at all times bear the assigned permit number prominently and permanently affixed at eye level on the sign's supporting structure.

3.

Signs may be illuminated by direct, indirect or internal lighting subject to the following restrictions:

a.

No flashing revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light shall be permitted upon a sign; however, illuminated signs which indicate such customary public services as time, temperature or similar information shall be permitted.

b.

External lighting, such as flood lights, thin line and goose neck reflectors, shall be permitted provided the light source is directed on the face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at or upon a public road or sidewalk or upon property adjacent to the property on which the sign is located.

4.

No sign shall employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin, or otherwise make use of motion or simulated motion to attract attention.

5.

No sign shall be constructed or placed so as to inhibit vision clearance area.

6.

For multi-faced signs the area of each individual sign face is counted towards the total allowable sign area (e.g. where 100 square feet of total sign area is allowed, each face of a double-faced sign is limited to 50 square feet). (Ord. No. 24-8-2, § III, 8-5-24)

D.

Signs To Be Allowed Without a Permit.

1.

Wall signs.

2.

Signs advertising the sale, lease, rental, construction or improvement of land or premises, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area, except in all residential districts where the area of the sign shall not be more than twelve (12) square feet. In addition, such signs shall be confined to the premises being advertised.

(Ord. No. 89-7-10, § II, 7-24-89)

3.

Garage sale signs announcing a garage or yard sale, to be displayed only for a seventy-two-hour period prior to and during the hours when the sale is in progress. The area of the sign shall not be more than six (6) square feet.

4.

Signs which advertise the sale of agricultural products which are grown or raised on the site where the sign is to be displayed. The area of the sign shall not be more than sixteen (16) square feet.

5.

Subdivision markers which identify a subdivision. Such signs must be approved by the Planning and Public Works Directors.

6.

Political signs advertising political candidates and/or issues. The area of the sign shall not be more than sixteen (16) square feet. Political signs shall be removed within seven (7) days after the candidate or political issue is no longer a part of the election process.

(Ord. No. 91-9-7, § I, 9-9-91)

7.

The standard signs of public utility companies or an energy-producing company, each of which, however, is limited in size to twelve (12) inches by twelve (12) inches, and placed in an area designed to inform the public of the location on the premises of a utility or energy facility. A larger sign may be approved by the Planning Director.

8.

Special-event banners or signs shall be permitted on private property or in parish rights-of-way to advertise an event of a nonprofit organization that is qualified as a nonprofit corporation in the State of Louisiana. The signs may be displayed for a period of thirty (30) days prior to such event. The banner or sign must be removed no later than three (3) days after the special event has been held. Signs shall be neat and orderly in appearance. Organizations wishing to place such signs shall coordinate the number and location with the Public Works Director and/or his designee and appropriate federal and state agencies.

E.

Prohibited Signs.

1.

It shall be unlawful to place a sign upon any curbstone, lamppost, telephone pole, telegraph pole, electric light or power pole, hydrant, bridge, culvert, public drinking fountain, public trash container, courtesy bench, rest station building, tree, or in or upon any portion of any public sidewalk, street right-of-way or sign except as specifically permitted within this ordinance.

2.

Any sign which is found hazardous or dangerous to the public safety. Evidence of hazard or danger shall include, but not be limited to, hazards to pedestrians or obstruction to the proper operation of any window, door, ventilation system, fire exit or any means of ingress or egress. Such prohibited signs shall be removed in accordance with this ordinance.

3.

Morally offensive. The maintenance or erection of any sign which is deemed obscene or indecent shall be prohibited. The owner of such a prohibited sign may seek review at a public hearing before the Parish Council. Final decisions by resolution of the Parish Council, if affirming a finding of moral offense, require compliance within three (3) days.

4.

Any sign which projects over a public right-of-way unless specifically permitted within this ordinance.

5.

Signs which are illegal under federal or state laws or regulations.

6.

Signs attached to, suspended from or painted on any vehicle which is regularly parked on any street or private property to display, demonstrate, advertise or attract the attention of the public.

7.

Notwithstanding the provisions of RS 48:461.2, no outdoor advertising shall be erected or maintained within visual observation of the main traveled way of Interstate Highway 310, St. Charles Parish, between Interstate Highway 10 and the Mississippi River. (Ord. No. 91-10-13, § I, 10-21-91)

8.

(a)
It shall be unlawful to place any sign on the median of Ormond Boulevard and/or public servitudes adjacent to Ormond Boulevard from its intersection with LA 48 to its intersection with U.S. Highway 61.

(b)

Any party violating the provisions of this section shall be penalized according to the provisions in section XII of [this] appendix A.

9.

No general advertising sign shall be erected within visual observation of the main traveled way of US Highway 90, US Highway 61, LA Highway 18, LA Highway 3127, I-310, LA Highway 631 (Old Spanish Trail), LA Highway 628, I-10, LA Highway 626 (St. Rose Avenue), LA Highway 48, and LA Highway 50. (Ord. No. 06-1-25, § I, 1-23-06)

(Ord. No. 93-8-10, § I, 8-9-93)

F.

Requirements for Off-Premises and General Advertising Signs:

1.

Off-premises and general advertising signs shall not be allowed in the W, H, O-L and R districts. Outdoor advertising signs may be double faced or V-type but shall contain no more than four (4) signs in any one (1) unit and not more than two (2) signs side by side; such structures shall have a total length of not more than sixty (60) feet. (Ord. No. 93-11-12, § II, 11-15-93)

2.

In a [the] CR-1, C-2, and MS districts, off-premises and general advertising signs shall be located no closer than twenty (20) feet to the abutting road surface or five (5) feet from all property lines, whichever is greater, [and] shall be limited to three hundred (300) square feet of sign face and thirty (30) feet in height. Additionally, off-premises signs shall be limited to ten (10) feet in height when such signs are within two hundred (200) feet from a recognized subdivision marker for a residential subdivision; and these ten-foot signs shall be architecturally compatible with the residential subdivision. (Ord. No. 89-6-19, 6-19-89)

3.

In the C-3, M-1, M-2, and M-3 districts, off-premises and general advertising signs shall not exceed six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet, excepting the addition of temporary embellishments provided the embellishments do not increase the size over fifteen (15) percent. The overall height of the sign shall not exceed thirty (30) feet. (Ord. No. 89-6-19, 6-19-89)

4.

Off-premises and general advertising signs located on the River Roads (LA 18, LA 48 and LA 628) and on Ormond Boulevard shall be limited to seventy-two (72) square feet of sign face and twelve (12) feet in height, regardless of zoning district. (Ord. No. 97-3-3, § I, 3-10-97)

5.

Only one (1) display panel will be allowed on the same face. Back-to-back or V-shaped signs with a horizontal angle no greater than forty-five (45) degrees will be considered as one (1) sign.

6.

No off-premises or general advertising sign shall be located less than one thousand (1,000) feet from any other off-premises or general advertising sign along the same thoroughfare. Each side of a thoroughfare shall be considered separate.

7.

Signs placed on corner lots at roadway intersections shall not restrict a motorist's field of vision. Any signage placed at such intersections that would impede a motorist's field of vision must be set back from the intersection, a minimum of twenty (20) feet from both the front and side property lines. (Ord. No. 93-2-6, § I, 2-15-93)

8.

Off-premises and general advertising sign shall not be permitted on lots, which do not conform to the provisions of Appendix A, section XXI.G.2. (Ord. No. 00-11-13, § II, 11-20-00)

Note: Off-premises advertising signs may be permitted within rights-of-way provided the business for which the sign advertises is not located on a major thoroughfare of the Parish as determined by the Planning Director. Such signs shall be limited to twelve (12) feet in height with a maximum sign face of thirty-two (32) square feet. If multiple businesses wish to locate off-premises advertising at the same general location they shall coordinate the design of one (1) sign to accommodate all the businesses involved and submit the design to the Planning Director for approval. In addition, the applicants shall coordinate with the Director of Public Works regarding the placement of the sign so as not to inhibit drainage, utilities, traffic safety, etc.

G.

Requirements for On-Premises Signs.

1.

In the W, H, OL and R districts, one (1) sign shall be allowed for each site with the exception of political signs which shall be limited to one (1) sign per candidate or political issue and shall be limited in area as defined in paragraph D of this regulation. Such signs shall have a maximum height of four (4) feet.

2.

On-premises signs in the C, M, M-S, and AV-1 districts shall be allowed at the rate of one (1) square foot of sign area for each foot of frontage of the site, not to exceed one (1) ground sign for each two hundred (200) feet of frontage or fraction thereof, inclusive of off-premise and general advertising signs.

(Ord. No. 89-3-8, 3-6-89; Ord. No. 99-12-3, § III, 12-6-99; Ord. No. 00-11-13, § I, 11-20-00)

3.

In the CR-1, C-2, and MS districts, the height of on-premises signs shall be limited to ten (10) feet when such signs are within two hundred (200) feet from a recognized subdivision marker for a residential subdivision; and these ten-foot signs shall be architecturally compatible with the residential subdivision. (Ord. No. 89-5-6, 5-1-89; Ord. No. 89-6-19, 6-19-89)

4.

On-premises signs located on the River Roads (LA. 18, LA. 48 and LA. 628) and on Ormond Boulevard shall be limited to seventy-two (72) square feet of sign face and twelve (12) feet in height, regardless of zoning district. (Ord. No. 90-11-16, 11-19-90; Ord. No. 97-3-3, § II, 3-10-97)

5.

Signs placed on corner lots at roadway intersections shall not restrict a motorist's field of vision. Any signage placed at such intersections that would impede a motorist's field of vision must be set back from the intersection, a minimum of twenty (20) feet from both the front and side property lines. (Ord. No. 93-2-6, § II, 2-15-93)

6.

On-premises signs in the C, M, M-S, and AV-1 districts shall be limited to a height of thirty (30) feet, unless further restricted by other provisions of these regulations. (Ord. No. 93-11-12, § I, 11-15-93; Ord. No. 99-12-3, § III, 12-6-99)

H.

Administration.

1.

Permits.

a.

A no-fee permit shall be issued for all existing signs upon passage of this regulation.

b.

A permit shall be applied for and received from the Planning Department before erecting, placing, rebuilding, or reconstructing any new sign not specifically exempted under paragraph D of this section.

c.

When a sign permit has been issued by the Planning Department, it shall be unlawful to change, modify, alter, or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions of said permit without prior approval. A written record of approval shall be entered upon the original permit application and maintained in the files of the Planning Department.

2.

Application for Permits.

a.

The application for a sign permit shall be made by the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located, or his authorized agent.

b.

Applications shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Planning Department.

c.

Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by a plan or plans drawn to scale and shall include:

(1)

The dimensions of the sign.

(2)

The dimensions of the sign's supporting members.

(3)

The proposed location of the sign in relation to the face of the building.

(4)

The proposed location of the sign in relationship to the boundaries of the site upon which it is to be situated.

d.

The Department shall, within ten (10) working days of the date of the application, either approve or deny the application or refer the application back to the applicant in any instance where insufficient information has been furnished.

[3.

Reserved.] ^[8]

4.

Fees. Except as otherwise provided, no sign permit shall be issued until a fee in the amount outlined as follows has been paid:

Square Feet of Sign     Permit Amount

0—50 .....$75.00

Greater than 50 .....100.00

(Ord. No. 89-6-19, 6-19-89; Ord. No. 07-3-6, § III, 3-19-07)

I.

Enforcement.

1.

Maintenance. Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable, and good structural material condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. The owner of any property on which a sign is located and those responsible for maintenance of the sign shall be equally responsible for the conditions of the area in the vicinity of the sign and shall be required to keep this area clean, sanitary, and free from noxious or offensive substances, rubbish, and flammable waste materials. The Planning Director shall require compliance with all standards of this ordinance. If the sign is not made to comply with adequate safety standards, the Director shall require its removal in accordance with this section.

2.

Dangerous or Defective Signs. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him any sign which is in a dangerous or defective condition. Any such sign shall be removed or repaired by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises. In cases of emergency, the Director of Public Works shall cause the immediate removal of any dangerous or defective sign without notice.

(Ord. No. 87-4-10, § 2, 4-20-87; Ord. No. 89-2-2, 2-8-89)